Reports indicate that a charter bus carrying members of the Farmingdale Senior High School marching band overturned earlier today on Interstate 84 in Orange County near the town of Wawayanda, resulting in at least one fatality and five serious injuries so far.
The bus was one of a total of six that were carrying the Nassau County school's band to a band camp located in Greeley, Pennsylvania.
Officials say there were about 45 people on the bus that overturned, with those who were injured have been transported to hospitals in Orange and Westchester County.
It is currently unknown what caused the accident, but local media reports indicate that the bus somehow ran off the Interstate and overturned in a wooded area after falling down a decline at approximately 1:30 p.m. this afternoon.
Multiple first responder agencies are currently on-scene.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued the following statement in response to the tragedy:
"I have been briefed on the tragedy in Orange County where a bus filled with high school students was involved in an accident, leading to injuries and one fatality. At my direction, personnel from the New York State Police and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are onsite to assist local emergency response teams. We are grateful for the first responders whose speedy action saved lives and we will continue to support them however necessary. Our hearts are with all who are impacted by this horrific situation."